Chameleon

Have you heard of the game chameleon?

I fear I play it far too well.

Skilled to pretend

i’m something i’m not.

I am

what you say you sell.

-

Although just a lizard,

i respect chameleons a great deal.

They influence your sight -

your sense

of what is real.

-

Coercing patterns and shifting shades

from blue

to yellow

to green.

Changing their skin to disappear

between

the in-between.

-

Living in the bushes,

on a branch

or tree.

Hiding ensures their existence

remains unknown.

remains free.

-

I never assumed a lizard

could feel so relatable.

A species

and myself;

ever growing less debatable.

-

Unlike most,

when their tail breaks

it won’t re-grow.

Breaking risks exposure.

This

disrupts

their veils flow.

-

Eyes always focused

on two things

at one time.

This resembles writing

to mask your pain with rhyme.

-

Subtly, I always

blend,

pretend,

and bend.

Trained myself

to stop.

Suspend.

Then mute

to self-defend.

-

Quick in response,

then I’m either frozen,

or i’m blind.

I change my colours to suit;

another’s ever changing mind.

-

Seeking closeness or closure.

No, not too close.

I will hide.

Afraid of unmasking

my transparent underside.

-

I am my surroundings.

Or more formally;

a reflection

of you.

I hold up my mirror

to keep you

in my view.

-

You’ll never truly know me.

I’ll ensure this is true.

See, if you like you,

I know this means that

you will like me too.

-

And if you think you’ve caught me

or convinced yourself you do.

You won’t see me -

remember?

The only me you know

is you.